Kortrijk — Oath of the Golden Spurs

Your journey begins on Kortrijk's Grote Markt, the central square that has been the heart of the city since the Middle Ages. Surrounded by town halls and guilds dating back to the 14th century, this 5,000 m² square was the scene of the Flemish victory in 1302 during the Battle of the Golden Spurs. The neo-Gothic Town Hall, built in 1420, stands with its facade adorned with 48 statues of Counts of Flanders. It was here that Guy de Dampierre, Count of Flanders, is said to have gathered his troops, galvanizing the militiamen before the decisive clash against the French knights. The square still echoes with the rallying cries and oaths sworn on that historic day.

A short walk away, the Kortrijk Belfry, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1999, stands proudly. Built between 1307 and 1325, this 70-meter-high Gothic belfry is the 46th belfry in the world to be listed as World Heritage. It symbolizes the communal independence of Flanders achieved after the 1302 victory. Since 1746, its carillon of 48 bells can be heard for several kilometers, recalling the hard-won freedom. This belfry is an architectural testament to the resilience of Kortrijk, a city that, under French threat, managed to preserve its identity and rights.

Continue towards the Broeltorens, two fortified towers from the 13th century (around 1275-1300), each 30 meters high, spanning the Leie river. These towers, classified as Belgian Historical Monuments in 1936, are survivors of Kortrijk's ancient medieval fortifications. They were strategic points for the city's defense against the French in 1302. The bridge between the towers, rebuilt in 1180, is an emblematic site of the city. It was here that Flemish militiamen monitored the movements of enemy troops, protecting access to the city and preparing ambushes along the river.

Your route then takes you to the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk, a Gothic church built from 1191 and completed in the 14th century. 108 meters long, it houses the famous tapestry of the Battle of the Golden Spurs, a late 14th-century work commemorating the 1302 victory. The western tower, 84 meters high, was erected around 1520. This church is a place of remembrance where art and architecture celebrate the courage of the Flemings. Then, the Begijnhof Sint-Elisabeth, founded in 1240 and classified as UNESCO World Heritage in 1998, offers a peaceful contrast with its 130 17th-18th century houses around a 13th-century church, illustrating a unique medieval lay women's community.

Finally, the Groeningemonument, erected in 1902 on the Groeningeveld, commemorates the Battle of the Golden Spurs on July 11, 1302. The 12-meter-high statue, sculpted by Jules Lagae, depicts Robert II d'Artois fleeing the battlefield, a symbol of the French defeat. Along the Leieboorden, the embankments where the ancient 13th-century fortifications stood, you can imagine the ambush laid by the Flemish militiamen. This Kortrijk circuit has immersed you in the history of Flanders, from the Sint-Maartenskerk, founded in 1192, to the heritage of the Counts of Flanders. You leave Kortrijk with a deep understanding of this battle that shaped Flemish heritage, a living testament to the resilience of a city.